This past weekend was spectacular! First I got this rad wake up + social media tank…
Second, I got to go to New York with my two best friends, where we went to the first ever BeautyCon NYC!
The manfriend got me a Pro Ticket which included a tote bag filled with goodies (I’ll be sharing about that and all things BeautyCon NYC later) and this tank!
Anyone who didn’t have a Pro ticket (there was also VIP and GA), was able to purchase a shirt for $25. What I found really cool was the fact that I was able to choose which shirt I wanted. Otherwise, I would have left with two shirts because I really liked this tank!
Don’t know what BeautyCon is? Check out their website! Want to hear about my experience? Stay tuned!
I have have always appreciated the denim on denim look. I wear it often, but never with a skirt. Until now!
I mean, used to rock mini denim skirts on the reg, but stopped when they started to feel like they were no longer age appropriate for me.
Then I found this H&M skirt that is just the right about of mini.
And the details! I’m a huge fan of distressed denim and love to DIY, but it never comes out quite like this…
The second I saw it I knew that I wanted it. It’s just so…ME! Casual yet chic, with just a bit of edge. With my J. Crew chambray button up shirt and Forever 21 ankle boots, perfection! I can’t wait to style this skirt again! What would you wear it with?
In an earlier post I basically said that waiting in line is the devil. Maybe not in so many words, but it is where 98% of my impulse buys are picked up.
This weekend I got to explore Albany and pretty much went buck wild crazy. Especially at Charlotte Russe. So many cute dresses and skirts! And the shoes…
Well on my way to check out I spotted two majorly amazing little products that I just HAD to snag.
More often than I care to share, I find myself feeling sorry for myself. I see the lives of others and instead of being happy for them, I get jealous. It isn’t that I don’t have good things going for me…but sometimes it’s easy to forget how fortunate and blessed I am when I compare myself to others. I only see what I don’t have instead of what I do have. Over time that can really take it’s toll and you just get down (and not with your bad self). Well at least I do. And not too long ago (actually, a little over one hundred days…), that’s where I was.
Now, I am always up for a photo challenge! Any excuse to take pictures and you can basically count me in! Not that I wouldn’t be documenting just about every second of my life anyways! I have about 12,000 photos just from this year on my phone and would rather delete and app than a precious pic…Feel free to judge.
I successfully completed the challenge, and while I don’t feel earth shatteringly changed, I do find that it is easier to find the good, happy moments in each and every day.
If you think this is something that you could use, I encourage you to participate.
I am currently working on revamping some things on my blog, and one of the things I want to update is my about page. The plan is to add mini bios for each of my personal assistants furbabes. In the meantime, these photos should provide you with enough cuteness to hold you over until then!
+ The featherbabe
So, while I may not be a mother, I do have my hands (+ my heart) full. Hope those of you that are moms had a spectacularly wonderful Mother’s Day!
Being in Vermont, this winter has been…long. After yesterday’s weather and looking at the forecast for the week, I think it is safe to say the spring is finally here to stay. Transitioning away from our winter wardrobe is something that those of us with heliophilia, await from the very moment that the leaves start to fall.
I noticed that I don’t really find myself thinking about as much is updating my makeup bag. When I say updating my makeup bag, I don’t mean adding to it…that is a never-ending thing for me that just kind of happens whenever I have money. What I’m referring to is the swapping out of darker, more wintery and sultry makeup for brighter, lighter and fun makeup used in the spring.
Everyone has their rules for just about everything now-a-days. While I understand that rules can be broken…there are products that I generally find myself going to in particular seasons that I don’t care for as much during others.
Left: Guerlain + Sephora Define Yourself Black Eyeliner Set (Out of Stock + now I regret recommending it so much…)
Right: CoverGirl + Sephora Define Yourself Color Eyeliner Set (Out of Stock)
Left: Bath & Body Works (I want my hands clean, not dry + No longer available, so glad I stocked up!)
Right: Purell
10. Tools
Left: Free gift with purchase from Sephora + sponge I found at a some drug store (here’s a better alternative + it’s a two pack!)
Right: Birchbox (No longer available, but here’s their new Birchbox exclusive Pouch) + Julep
Are these products that you find your self swapping out too? What else do you swap of for the spring? Do you have Instagram? Share a “What’s in my makeup bag” photo and share what’s stashed in your current makeup bag with the hashtag #myspringswapout!
There was nothing that I disliked about this kit, but I want to stress that these are minis. Samples. Not full-sized products. A lot of the reviews were from those that were disappointed with the size, so I was prepared to be a little disappointed. I wasn’t. In fact, I was very pleased with it.
A few notes:
The “purple” nail polish is really thick. I only painted one coat and was afraid that two coats wouldn’t dry without me managing to smudge them, and the color was bold enough to look as though I’d painted two coats.
The “coral” nail polish was a bit thin and even after two coats, I could still see through it, but I didn’t mind as it wasn’t too noticeable…
Kit Includes Deluxe Minis of the following products:
Believe it or not, the “manfriend” has a name. It’s Andrew. Andrew Michael when I’m upset with him.
We’ve been together for six years this month. Like any other couple, we are far from perfect, but he truly is my best friend and has been since college.
Currently, we are working on strengthening our bond by addressing some flaws that we previously neglected to.
The really abridged version of our love story:
He saw me, liked me, chased me. I turned him down. He got a girlfriend, I got jealous. They broke up. I graduated (I’m older), we started dating. We moved in together, and a year after that we were engaged. In 2012, we were supposed to get married. That didn’t work out. We stayed together and moved to Vermont. I got really depressed and started seeing a therapist for seasonal depression and anxiety. I discovered why they say that you can’t love someone else until you first love yourself. My emotional health was hindering my ability to be the best me and a good partner. Then more stuff happened, and here we are, working on us.
Photos courtesty of Once Like a Spark Photography
The three biggest things that have been helping us (I asked Andrew what his thoughts on this were and he said the exact same three things!):
Talking (communication is key)
Showing appreciation and affection
Spending time together
Of those, I really enjoy spending time with Andrew. Our job can be very time-consuming. Yes, we also work together. We used to pass work off as spending time together, but it is not the same. When we do things one (or both) of us enjoys, we get to know more about each other, we learn what we have in common, and we talk more than we normally would.
What do we do together?
Andrew is a gamer, so this past weekend we played Diablo III.
We both enjoy watching movies, so we went for a walk to our local Redbox and rented four movies to watch while we snuggled on the couch.
Spending time together is great, but it is also important to remember that some alone time is much needed and can be just as great.
Do you have a partner/spouse? How do you keep your relationship going? Post a picture of the two of you doing something together on Instagram and tag #spendingtime. This can be a super fun way for us to share some “date” ideas!
Stasia spoke about the importance and power of dressing the “true you”. She opened by sharing about her humble past, the joys of thrift shopping (one of her favorite brands is J. Crew, but why pay retail when you can score great deals instead?), and stories from her current experience as a personal stylist. During her presentation, Stasia had us think back to our most favorite outfit as a child, and asked us to remember all of its special details…the texture, color, pattern, fabric, and most importantly, she asked us to remember how it made us FEEL. She then talked about ways to translate those features and feelings into our own personal style today. We learned that if we wear clothing that is true reflection of our soul, then we will feel better, act better and do better.
Now, at this point I’m sold! (Stasia, if you ever decided to write a book, save me a signed copy!) Then she played us this clip and it really brought her point home.
This video was supposed to be for a B-School scholarship, but because it was too long, it didn’t qualify. However, you’ll be happy to know that Stasia was able to raise enough money for the 8 week on-line marketing program through GoFundMe, and is rockin’ her way through B-School now! And as for Raisa, I heard she just landed a gig as an Instagram photogher…You can check out her work on Instagram!
Stasia’s favorite thrift shop in Vermont? Shalom Schuk in Burlington. “…It’s fantastic. Prices are great, and they’ve got some real quality goods…”
She also recommends the Goodwill in South Burlington.
While this was not a sponsored post, I do want to mention that I was so busy being inspired and taking notes, that I wasn’t able to get any photos during Stasia’s presentation. The feature image is from the VWHE Facebook page.
Social media has opened up whole new worlds for me! From twitter parties, to networking opportunites, to finding out about Keiko Kaveri’s #NoBareLips30.
This lipstick challenge starts today, with It’s World Kiss Your Mate Day, so take a photo kissing someone you love and join in on the fun! After the 30 days, I will share all my photos from the challenge along with what products I used.
Can’t wait until then? During the challenge, I will be sharing my photos on Instagram and Twitter, so if you aren’t already…FOLLOW ME! And don’t forget to tag me, if you want to make sure I see your lippies!
